Mira asks, "The concept of soy formula being bad is new to me. I thaught this is
preferrable to formula based on cows' milk if we have to use formula,
because a lower allergy incidence. This is used very frequently here, for
any suspicion of cows' milk formula allergy (fussy baby, spitting up etc.),
or as the preferred suplement to breastmilk (for whatever reason). Could
someone post any references about this?"

We have the same thinking on soy formulas in Zimbabwe, which are seen as
"better" than cow's milk based formulas (by parents and some of their
doctors). However this belief appears to be unjustified.  Marsha Walker, in
her article, "A fresh Look at the Risks of Artifial Infant Feeding" JHL
9(2), 1993, p 99 says, "Cow's milk is the most common allergen during
infancy and childhood ... Up to 50% of children sensitive to cow's milk show
soy hypersensitivity also.  Allergic reactions include hives, wheezing,
vomiting, diarrhea, eczema, malabsorption and failure to thrive.... Soy
formulas remain antigenic and have provoked adverse reactions in some cow's
milk-allergic infants;  The AAP recommends against their use for the
management of infants with documented cow's-milk-protein allergy."  The
references cited are:

1.  Committee on Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics: Soy protein
formulas: recommendations for use in infant feeding. Pediatrics 72:359-63, 1983.

2.  Committee on Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics: Hypoallergenic
infant formulas. Pediatrics 83:1068-69, l989.

3.  Burks AW, Casteel HB, Fiedorek SC, et al: A prospective food challenge
study of two different types of soy protein isolates in patients with
possible milk or soy protein intolerance. Presented at the Southern Society
for Pediatric Research, New Orleans; January, 1991.

As to which are the best alternatives, it seems that even a little
breastfeeding may help to delay or reduce the manifestation of atopic disease.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
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